Police chief responds to pleas to reduce gun violence

PETERSBURG — In the wake of two shootings that left two residents dead and the rest of the community searching for answers, Petersburg Police Chief Kenneth Miller addressed the gun violence in the city during a press conference Tuesday at police headquarters.

On Sunday, September 17, a shooting occurred outside of Shortt’s Grocery store at the intersection of Mistletoe and Harding streets. Petersburg resident Delqukis Demon Ruffin later died in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. Police arrested several others in connection to the shooting.

On Saturday, September 23, a 16-year old was shot and killed in what police believe was some form of retaliation for the shooting six days before. That investigation is ongoing.

The two deaths from the shootings mark the ninth and tenth homicides for Petersburg in 2017. The deaths are also the sixth and seventh homicides resulting from gun violence in 2017. The city experienced 11 homicides in all of 2016, according to the Virginia State Police.

“With respect to the gun violence: put the guns down,” said Miller, when asked if he had a message to the city. “It’s just too important. Councilman John Hart put it greatly: instead of resting in peace, how about we live in peace.”

Though Miller said he couldn’t comment directly about last week’s shootings because the investigations are ongoing (several suspects have been arrested), he talked about what the department is doing to curb the gun violence. Though Miller said strides have been made, the challenge remains a daunting task.

“There’s no magic wand we can wave,” he said.

Miller noted that the department has taken 95 guns off the street so far this year. The department encourages citizens who have guns they don’t want to turn them in to the department, which prevents them from ending up in the wrong hands.

Miller also talked about working more closely with the other law enforcement agencies in the city to put forth a more collaborative effort to identify and prosecute perpetrators of gun violence.

“One of the things I heard about when I first came here [in June], was that the whole piece wasn’t put together,” said Miller. “The police, the sheriff, the commonwealth’s attorney, we’re all working together; we’re collaborating to do the best for the city of Petersburg.”

The department is also trying to increase police presence, not just by hiring more officers, but by lessening the workload for each member of the force.

“We’re reducing the lengths of shifts from 12 hours to 10 hours, to reduce fatigue,” said Miller. The force was understaffed until recently, as many officers left the force after the city implemented a 10 percent pay-cut last year in response to the city’s financial woes. The force will also continue to improve the internal training of the officers: Miller said several are preparing to take a week-long course at the FBI Academy, which will better equip them to tackle the problems on the streets.

“The officers are empowered to affect change in their own area,” said Miller. “But we’ve got to sharpen things up internally to make us effective externally.”

With one of victims being just 16 years old, Miller also talked about increasing a police presence at Petersburg High School and the rest of the school system, putting more resources into School Resource Officers.

“We’re making sure we have the right SROs in the system,” said Miller. “[The students] have to see us, so that it doesn’t create an ‘us and them’ mentality.”

When first hired, Miller talked at length about “community policing” and how citizens contribute to the safety of the community. He echoed that sentiment in a direct message to residents who are hoping the shootings cease.

“If you see something, call us: if you know something, say something,” said Miller. “If you know something, and you’re not sure, just call us.”

• John Adam may be reached at jadam@progress-index.com or 804-722-5172.

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